Adam RollinsManatee County, Florida, will build a $30 million Veteran’s Memorial Park that will include memorials, a community center and walking trails. The Manatee Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) recently approved the project to move into design phase. Commissioners have not finalized when construction will begin.
The county will build the park on a 24-acre plot neighboring local wetlands in the city of Palmetto. The park will include 30 memorials throughout the complex commemorating military conflicts, war heroes, military divisions and notable organizations. Plans include walking paths connecting all memorials and a wetlands boardwalk.
The county will build a 12,000-square-foot Veteran’s Center and an entry flag plaza near the park’s front entrance. In addition, the county will build a 5,600-square-foot pavilion on the shore of the park’s stormwater pond. The pavilion will provide a rest area along with a fire pit and a patio dedicated to service flags.
Plans include building a gazebo over the surface of the pond. The park will feature three 700-square-foot picnic shelters with seating, a grass-lot flexible event space and a restroom building. The county will build a paved parking lot, overflow parking on a grass lot.
Palmetto is located 43.8 miles south of Tampa.
